Fascinating Facts About the Australian Shepherd-Labrador Mix Breed

Labrador Retrievers and Australian Shepherds are well-known for their high level of intelligence. When bred together, their offspring is bound to inherit the smartness and good looks from both sides.

What's in a name?

Everything, if these dogs are to be believed. Retrievers get their name from being hunting companions of yore, 'retrieving' delicate game without causing any damage. Shepherd dogs happen to be excellent farm hands, doing an able job of 'shepherding' sheep and cattle.

Labrador retrievers are among the most popular family dogs in the world today. Their genial nature and inherent intelligence makes them fitting pets for individuals and families alike.

Aussie shepherds are simply delightful to have around. They are protective and playful, and despite their herding instinct, are as goofy as puppies even in adulthood.

A combine of these qualities give you a dog that is smart, active, with terrific looks to boot. You may call them Shepradors, if you please, and here's everything you wanted to know about them.

Personality Traits, Temperament, and Training

◼ The Labrador-Shepherd mix is a very friendly dog. He is an absolute delight to have around.

◼ His shepherding instincts are bound to be strong; although with mixed breeds, it's difficult to ascertain the personality, as the offspring takes on qualities of both parent breeds.

◼ This dog is mild-mannered, and is very patient as well. This makes him a good pet to have around young children. These dogs love to play for hours on end, and enjoy the outdoors.

◼ Their high energy levels make it mandatory to indulge them in heavy physical exercise every day. As the parent breeds are mainly field dogs, don't expect this breed to be couch potatoes.

◼ Along with physical activity, these dogs need plenty of mental stimulation, given their high level of intelligence. Teach your dog tricks to keep his/her interest alive, or even design treasure hunts to keep her engaged while you're away at work.

◼ While the breed is inherently gentle, their herding instincts may at times take over, making them a little overbearing with young children or other small pets in the household.

◼ To avoid this, behavioral training is necessary since puppyhood. Besides the basic commands like 'up', 'sit', and 'heel', your dog needs to obey the sound of his pack leader's (your) voice and retreat immediately. You can avail the services of professional trainers to get the techniques right.

◼ Mixed breeds take on the appearance of either parent, or are a mix of both. Therefore, your Lab-Shepherd mix may have varying colors, medium density coat, and perhaps, the Labrador's expressive eyes.

◼ They are mid-sized dogs, with their weight ranging between 35 to 55 pounds.

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◼ Aussie Shepherds tend to get bored with inactivity, so there's a chance that your mix breed may behave the same. These dogs are not satisfied with a 10-minute walk around the block, but love vigorous exercise.

◼ They hate spending time indoors all day, so it isn't a good idea to keep them locked up in an apartment. They are more suitable for people who will spend ample time with them each day and indulge in playing and exercise.